As tick season extends and weekly ER visits for tick bites rise, protecting against these disease-carrying pests is crucial. While insect repellent sprays are recommended, their harsh chemicals can irritate sensitive skin and noses. NatPat's TrailPatch tick repellent stickers offer an alternative: they stick to clothing, not skin, making them ideal for children and those with sensitivities.
How NatPat Patches Work
The stickers are made from biodegradable bamboo "AromaWeave" fibers infused with geranium, peppermint, thyme, and cedarwood oils. These natural scents repel ticks when placed on hats, shirt collars, sleeves, or other clothing near exposed skin. The brand recommends using one to three patches for young children and two to four for ages six and up.
Real User Experiences
HuffPost executive editor Kate Palmer, who lives in a tick-prone area, has used the patches for years with her family. "They have seemingly worked very well for us. I like that it means we don’t have to douse ourselves in spray," she said. Other reviewers call them a "game changer" and "such a lifesaver." One parent noted, "No spray to irritate a little nose, no cream to get wiped off 'accidentally'... my little one is blissfully ignorant that he’s wearing a protective suit of armour."
Effectiveness and Expert Advice
EPA-registered repellents with DEET, picaridin, or permethrin are generally recommended for high-risk environments. NatPat's stickers are not EPA-registered but are considered minimum risk-exempt, with ingredients deemed safe. Research on essential oils is limited, but they can repel ticks for shorter durations. For daily outdoor activities like gardening, these patches offer a convenient, mess-free option.
Customer Reviews
- Races: "These stickers are all natural, chemical-free, and super easy to use. They’re very, very effective at keeping ticks away."
- Victoria: "When a tick crawls up my ankle and reaches where I put the sticker, it turns around and stays away."
- Christy Bullock: "The scent stayed consistent for the full 8 hours we were outside. The airtight ziplock bag keeps unused patches fresh for up to a year."
- Loren Byers: "The stickers stayed on through all the running and climbing. It was a relief to enjoy the trail without sticky, chemical residue."
- Tony Rose: "My 4-year-old refused to keep the sticker on, and after our hike, she was the only one with a tick on her head. These are now a must-have."
Pricing
48-pack: $15 at Amazon, $16 at NatPat (regularly $25). 24-pack: $10 at Target.
Tick Removal Tools
For safe tick removal, consider these tools:
1. Trio of Removal Tools
With a bent needle nose, this tool removes the entire tick, including the head. Suitable for dogs, cats, horses, and humans. Promising review: "We have had a 100% success rate with this tool." $5 at Amazon.
2. Card-Style Remover
About the size of a business card, with notches for large and small ticks and a magnifier. Promising review: "With the multiple ticks I remove from my pets and myself, this has become a very reliable tool!" $6 at Amazon.
3. Bowl-Shaped Tick Removers
The bowl shape catches ticks after removal, and the handle helps reach difficult spots. Promising review: "Great hands-free way of doing it, does not hurt, no tears, the whole tick comes off." $13 at Amazon.
